Photographic camera with an automatic, light-dependent exposure setting

ABSTRACT

A photographic camera having a diaphragm consisting of at least two rotatably mounted blades and an exposure-time-regulating device cooperating with the shutter blade system of the camera, so that by means of an exposure meter built into the camera and a scanning device associated therewith, both light stop and exposure time are automatically controllable in an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;AUTO&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; range and are presettable manually in another range. The camera has simple automatic programming whereby a part of the components of the automatic programming system is utilized for manually setting the light stop and the exposure time as well as for actuating a working range indicator by a highly advantageous configuration and correlation of parts with a minimum of structural expense. Thus, the camera has a control member, forming part of the exposure-time-regulating device and participating in the positioning motions of the diaphragm blades, that engages one of the diaphragm blades directly, and wherein its setting determines the duration of the exposure by the shutter sectors.

United States Patent 1111 3,563,141

[ 1 Inventor Franlw'R-smp 3,117,503 1/1964 O'Hara 95/10 [21] A I No ggrg Forestcermany Primary Examiner-John M.Horan 2 g Mar. 13 19 7Attorney-Arthur A. March [45] Patented Feb. 16, 1971 Prontor-Werk AlfredGauthier GmbH Calmback, Black Forest, Germany [73] Assignee [32]Priority Mar. 12, 1966 [33] Germany [3 l P38,975

[54] PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA WITH AN AUTOMATIC, LIGHT-DEPENDENT EXPOSUREABSTRACT: A photographic camera having a diaphragm consisting of atleast two rotatably mounted blades and an exposure-time-regulatingdevice cooperating with the shutter blade system of the camera, so thatby means of an exposure meter built into the camera and a scanningdevice associated therewith, both light stop and exposure time areautomatically controllable in an AUTO range and are presettable manuallyin another range. The camera has simple automatic SETTING programmingwhereby a part of: the components of the auto- 15 Chims 4 Drawing Figs.mat1c programmmg system 1s ut1l1zed for manually settmg the llght stopand the exposure t1me as well as for actuating a [52] US. Cl 95/10working range indicator by a highly advantageous cnfigura 01' 0 f Cl G1/ 4 tion and correlation of parts w1th a m1n1mum of structural ex- [50]held of Search 95/10, 64 penm Thus, the camera has a control memberforming pan of the exposure-time-regulating device and participating inthe [56] References Cited positioning motions of the diaphragm blades,that engages one UNITED STATES PATENTS of the diaphragm blades directly,and wherein its setting deter- 3,021,770 2/1962 l )ietz 95 64 CX minesthe duration of the exposure by the shutter sectors.

a ll I ll 6 U 51 F 1 I" K 32 30 37 52 J6 3a 4a 33 5E 2'. l: 3 30a "7PATENTED FEB 61974 3 563 141 I sum 1 BF 4 INVEN TOR Frcmz W.R. Sfclrp BYArm? A. Mmk

A TTORNEY PATENTEDFEBISISTI 3563141 suwaura' IN VE N TOR Franz W. R.Slarp BY Ari kur A. March ATTORNEY PATENTEUFEBISIQYI 3563141 I sum 3 OF4 IN VEN TOR Franz W R. Sfarp A rtkur Mar ck A T TORNE YPATENTEUFEBIBBYI 3,5 3,1 sntnuom IN VENTOR Franz W R. Starp BY Arthur A.much I ATTORNEY PI'IOTOGRAPI'IIC CAMERA WITH AN AUTOMATIC,LlGIIT-DEPENDENT EXPOSURE SETTING The invention relates to aphotographic camera having a diaphragm consisting of at least tworotatably mounted blades and an exposure-time-regulating devicecooperating with the shutter blade system of the camera, so that bymeans of an exposure meter built into the camera and a scanning deviceassociated therewith, both light stop and exposure time areautomatically controllable in an AUTO" range and are presettablemanually in another range.

In a camera equipped with an exposure meter and a scanning deviceassociated therewith for the purpose of automatic exposure settingcontrolled by lighting conditions, it is known to design the scanningmember as a two-armed transmission lever carrying a scanning cam at oneend cooperating with the exposure meter pointed and at its other endbeing effectively connected to the diaphragm and theexposure-timeregulating device. This arrangement is such that one arm ofthe transmission lever is connected to the diaphragm blades by apin-slot arrangement and is provided with an elastic projection which,depending on the setting motion of this lever, is moved a shorter orlonger distance into the path of motion of an actuating levertransferring the shutter sectors into the open position and catching itduring the shutter runoff. The transmission lever is loaded by the forcetransmitted from the sector actuating lever, the consequence of whichmay be an exposure setting deviating from the actual lightingconditions.

Also known is a photographic camera with an automatic exposure controlsystem by means of which both the exposure time and the light stop aresettable as a function of the lighting conditions. To set the twoexposure factors of time and stop values automatically, a drive systemfor each has been provided so that the previous systems are not onlyrelatively expensive but, beyond this, undesirably require a relativelylarge assembly space.

It isan object of this invention to provide a camera with simpleautomatic programming, distinguished by a neat and partssavingconstruction.

it is another object of this invention to provide such a camera wherebya part of the components of the automatic programming system areutilized for manually setting the light stop and the exposure time aswell as for actuating a working range indicator by a highly advantageousconfiguration and correlation of parts with a minimum of structuralexpense.

It has been found that the foregoing objects and other advantages can bereadily attained in a camera according to this invention by providing acontrol member, forming part of the exposure-time-regulating device andparticipating in the positioning motions of the diaphragm blades, thatengages one of the diaphragm blades directly, and wherein its settingdetermines the duration of the exposure by the shutter sectors. Byhaving one of the diaphragm blades influence the control member of theexposure-time-regulating device directly it is possible to reduce thestructural expense for the setting mechanism serving to set thediaphragm or light stop and exposure time automatically and to simplifythe components, so that, it is now possible to create the prerequisitesfor a camera with relatively simple, reliably functioning automaticprogramming.

According to a further provision of this invention, a simple andparts-saving automatic programming system can be realized by designingthe control part of the exposure-time-regulating device as a pivotedcatch lever which rests with one end biased under the effect of a springagainst the back of one diaphragm blade. Further, the catch lever isadvantageously designed so that it cooperates with abraking weighthaving several radially gradated cam surfaces which participates in theopening motion of the shutter blades that are reciprocating forback-and-forth movement. The braking weight is so mounted that that itcan move back and forth and swing out beyond the reversal phase of theshutter blades against the force of a return spring.

The exposure program achievable with the automatic programming systemcan be laid out so that, first, with the diaphragm set to stay at itswidest stop, the exposure times from the longest to the shortest timeare automatically settable. Then, with the shortest exposure time set tostay unchanged, the diaphragm values are automatically settable from thewidest to narrowest aperture diameter. For this purpose, the inventionprovides for the diaphragm blades to have an override extending beyondthe opening of the objective so that the diaphragm blades areinefiective whereby the one diaphragm blade, with the catch leverresting against it and the braking weight are so correlated thatdiffering exposure times can be achieved only in the range of theoverride. When the diaphragm blades enter the range of the opening ofthe objective, the exposure time remains constant while the diaphragmopening is adapted to narrow steadily. Another exposure program can alsobe achieved that retains the simple construction in purposefullyimplementing the invention by laying out the automatic programmingsystem so that the one diaphragm blade, the catch lever resting againstit, and the braking weight are so correlated thatithe light stop andexposure time are changed jointly, thereby achieving various exposurevalues.

To limit to a minimum the additional structural expense for manuallysetting light stop and exposure time values, according to the inventionit is further provided that the catch lever, supported at one end at theone diaphragm blade, be of a twoarmed design and influenceable by apositioner which serves to set or reverse the camera to automatic ormanual stop setting. The positioner has a supporting edge, that becomeseffective when set to manual stop setting and which positions the catchlever so that an exposure time of, say, one-thirtieth sec., suited forfree-hand or flashbulb pictures, is achieved. Accordingly, in anadvantageous further development of this invention, provisions are madefor the positioner, that serves to set or reverse the camera from onerange to another, to be joined to the exposure meter housing forcorotation therewith, and for the exposure meter to have a switchassigned to it which is included in its circuit and which short circuitsthe meter when reversing from automatic to manual exposure time setting.

Structural components of the automatic programming system also can beused advantageously for setting the stops manually, according to theinvention, by the correlation of the positioner and housing of theexposure meter so that, upon short circuiting, the joint rotary motionmoves the exposure meter pointer to a position whereby, with the aid ofthe scanning device associated with the pointer, the stop value presetby the positioner are provided. For manually actuating the exposuremeter pointer, the housing of the exposure meter desirably can have astop located in the pointers plane of motion, against which the pointercomes to rest after the meter is short circuited.

To indicate to the photographer,'in a simple manner and withoutsignificant additional expense, the working range to which the camera isset, using photographic cameras with an indicating scale associated withthe exposure meter that have harmonizing stop and time values,provisions are made according to the invention for an indicating flagassigned to the scale. The flag is movable by the positioner by means ofa positioning pin which is so designed and disposed that, in the AU- TOposition of the positioner, the scale is visible, but in the MANUAL"range or flash range the flag moves over the scale, leaving only thosestop values visible which can be set in that range. It is therebyexpedient for the portion of the flag which covers the scale values tocarry a flash symbol and/or the time value of the exposure time becomingeffective in the MANUAL" range or the flash range.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparentfrom the following detailed description and the attached drawings whichillustrate one embodiment as an example of the invention in the form ofa self-winding shutter wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially diagrammatic view of a self-winding shutterembodying this invention illustrating the parts in the normal positionand set to AUTO" for automatic programming, whereby light stop andexposure time are set by means of a scanning device associated with anexposure meter built into the camera.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the parts shown in the openposition with a deflection of the exposure meter pointer resulting inthe combination setting of stop 5.6 and time of one-sixtieth sec. on thebasis of the exposure program established.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the parts shown in the openposition at a greater pointer deflection, resulting under the sameexposure program as FIG. 2 in the pair of values: stop 1 l and timeone-twenty-fifth sec.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the parts shown in the openposition and reversed to the manual stop setting range, whereby the stopactuation is also accomplished by means of the scanning device.

Referring now to the drawings, a shutter base plate, designated by thereference numeral 1, is provided with an exposure opening la, and hasdisposed thereon a shutter blade system consisting, in the disclosedembodiment, of two shutter blades 2 and 3. The shutter blades 2 and 3are mounted on pivot pins 5 and 6, respectively, and are in pin-slotconnection with a drive pin 7 of a pivotable actuating lever B. One ofthe two mounting pins for the shutter blades 2 and 3 may serve as pivotpoint for actuating lever 23, for instance, say pin 6 as illus trated inthe drawings. The shutter blades 2 and 3 are kept in a closed positionby a wound spring 10 biasing the actuating lever 8.

To drive the actuating lever 8, a rotatably mounted, twoarmed windingand release lever 12 is provided which, under the effect of a returnspring 13, assumes the position shown in FIG. 1. One end of the windingand release lever 12 is provided with a handle 12a while its other endcarries a pivotally mounted driving pawl 15. The pawl 15 has two leverarms 15a and 15b disposed approximately at right angles to each otherand is engaged with the winding and release lever 12 by means of a tab150 under the biasing effect of a drive spring 16. While the arm 15a ofthe drive pawl 15 cooperates during the winding process with astationary stop 18, the arm 15b engages the actuating lever 8 uponattainment of the wound position and imparts a clockwise rotary motionto it which results in the transfer of shutter blades 2 and 3 into theopen position.

As is further evident from the drawing, a simply constructedexposure-time-regulating device is associated with the shutter bladesystem which, in the disclosed embodiment, has a pivoted braking weight20, resting under the influence of a wound spring 21 against a tab 6a ofthe actuating lever 8, adapted to swing out against the force of thespring 21 beyond the reversal point of shutter blades 2 and 3 in theirreversal phase during the exposure runoff. The braking weight as well asthe wound spring 21 are expediently mounted coaxially with the actuatinglever 8. Further, the exposure-time-regulating device comprises acontrol part 23 which limits the range of deflection of the brakingweight 26 in the reversal phase of the shutter blades 2 and 3. Thecontrol part 23 is designed in the disclosed embodiment as a two-armedcatch lever pivoted on the base plate 1. One arm 23a of the catch lever23 is provided with a stop 231) which cooperates with a catch camdisposed at the outer periphery of the braking weight 20 having variousradially gradated cam surfaces 20a-e. The stop 23b is so positioned withrespect to the pivot point of the catch lever 23 that the force of oneof the cam surfaces ZOa-e striking this stop goes substantially throughthe bearing centerline of the catch lever 23 which, as will be explainedfurther below, can be controlled by a scanning device.

It is further evident from the drawing that the shutter base plate 1 canalso serve to mount a diaphragm consisting of several blades whichautomatically adjust themselves depending on the prevailing lightingconditions. In the disclosed embodiment the diaphragm is formed by twoblades and 26,

each being mounted on pins 27 and 28, respectively. Furthermore, thediaphragm blades 25 and 26 are adapted for counterclockwise rotarymotion when the diaphragm closes so that the diaphragm blades 25 and 26can overlap each other.

As to the automatic setting of the diaphragm, the previously mentionedscanning device serves this purpose in cooperation with an exposuremeter built into the camera. The exposure meter has a housing 30 with astop 30a and a coil pivoted in the housing 30. The coil is connected toa photocell 31 and carries an exposure meter pointer 32. The scanningdevice has a slide 34, movable in stationary guides 33 and provided witha stepped cam 34a for scanning the meter pointer 32. The slide 34 alsoexpediently directly engages the diaphragm blades 25 and 26 throughpi'rbslot connections 25a, 34b and 260, 340, respectively. Under thebias of the spring 36, the scanning slide 34 follows the movement of thecooking and releasing lever 12, so that when the slide 34 abuts againstthe pointer 32 it is in turn pressed against the counterbearing 37. Thecounterbearing 37 is not located directly in the zone of movement of thescanning slide 34 but in the path of the meter pointer, which is freelymovable above the counterbearing 37.

To achieve a simple form of automatic programming with theabove-described shutter arrangement, i.e. an automatic setting ofexposure time and light stop value depending on the lighting conditions,the catch lever 23 cooperating with the braking weight 20 advantageouslydirectly engages one of the diaphragm blades 25 and 26. To accomplishthis, the arm 23a of the catch lever 23 is provided with a scanning pin23c which can come to rest at the back portion 26b of the blade 26 underthe influence of a spring 40. Mounting and design of the diaphragmblades 25 and 26 and the step cam 34a of the scanning slide. .34 areadvantageously adapted so that the diaphragm blades first traverse anunemployed path from their normal position, illustrated in FIG. 1, totheir entry into the range of exposure opening 10 which, for example,corresponds to the stop value 5.6. Provision is also made for the catchlever 23 to be influenced by the blade 26 within this unemployed pathonly. As soon as the diaphragm blades 25 and 26 swing across theexposure opening la, the catch lever 23 runs against a stationary stop42 which prevents the catch lever from following through. Due to thisspecial measure an exposure value program is formed in which, first, theexposure times, starting from the longest to the shortest time may berun through with the widest diaphragm opening of, say, 5.6" remainingconstant. Then the diaphragm openings from its widest to its narrowestopening diameter may be run through with exposure time remainingconstant.

If desired, the configuration of the blade 26, the catch lever 23resting against it and the braking weight 20 could also be such that thediaphragm opening and the exposure time are changed jointly. Theexposure values program can be read in the viewfinder 43 of the camerafrom a scale 44, whereby the respective exposure value is indicated bythe free end of the meter pointer 32. The scale 44 can be colored greenand the ranges adjoining on either side can be of red coloration so thatthe photographer can ascertain easily and quickly what the prevailinglighting conditions are by looking into the camera viewfinder 43.

As may further be seen from the drawings, the exposure factors of lightstop and time can also be set manually by simple means, for instance,for taking flashbulb pictures. For this purpose a hand-operable setter46 is provided which cooperates with a stationary setting mark 47whereby the setter 46 may be positioned in an AUTO" setting range forautomatic programming, or reversed into an additional range having adiaphragm scale 46a as well as by a flash symbol. To set the diaphragmby hand, the structural components of the automatic programming systemare advantageously utilized. Thus, the setter 46 is connected to thehousing 30 of the exposure meter for corotation and the housing is, asmentioned above, provided with a stop 30a fixing the normal position ofthe meter pointer 32. When reversing to the Manual" range 46a, theexposure meter is short circuited by means of short circuit switch 48,which causes the meter pointer 32 to rest against the stop 30a asillustrated in FIG. 4. The setter 46 is further provided with asupporting edge 46b which cooperates with a pin 23c attached to the arm23d of the catch lever 23 and which moves the catch levercounterclockwise when reversing to the range 460, thereby positioningits stop 23b so that the outermost cam surface 20a of braking weight 20strikes this stop during the exposing process, thus achieving anexposure time of, say, one-thirtieth sec.

So that the photographer is enabled to recognize from the viewfinder 43the working range in which the camera happens to be set, a pivotedindicating flag 50 is provided for the scale 44. The flag 50 is underthe influence of a spring 51 and, by means of a shiftable setting pin52, cooperates with the stop 30a of the exposure meter housing 30. Whenset to AUTO, the flag 50, as shown in F lGS. l to 3, completely uncoversthe scale 44 of the viewfinder 43. However, the flag 50, following stop30:: of the housing 30 under the influence of a spring 51,

changes into the position shown in FIG. 4 when the diaphragm is setmanually, in which position only the diaphragm values are visible whichcan be set for the Manual range 46a.

The operating mode of the invention described above and illustrated inthe drawings is as follows:

To take photographs with diaphragm and time set automatically dependingon lighting conditions, i.e. photographs with automatic programming, thesetter 46 is brought into the setting shown in FlGS. l to 3 in which theAUTO is positioned opposite to the mark 47. The meter pointer 32 canthereby adjust itself, in accordance with the prevailing light, to acertain pair of exposure values, say one-sixtieth sec. and stop 5.6,asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and .2. When the winding and release lever 12 isactuated by pressure on the handle 12a, the arm 15a of the driving pawl15 contacts the stationary stop 18 and turns clockwise, increasing thetension of drive spring 16. The scanning slide 34 follows the motion ofthe winding and release lever 12 under the effect of tension spring 36until the step cam 34a strikes the meter'pointer 32. The diaphragmblades 25 and 26 are thereby moved toward the exposure opening la, butwithout initially covering the opening. This occurs because thediaphragm blades 25, 26, from their normal position shown in FIG. 1 totheir entry into the range of exposure opening l'a, traverse theunemployed path which is provided for setting the exposure time whilethe diaphragm stays open. During the motion of the diaphragm blades 25and 26 toward the exposure opening la, the catch lever 23, with the pin23c resting against the back portion 26b of the blade 26, follows underthe influence of the spring 40, whereby the stop 23b positions itself inthe path of the cam surface 200 of the raking weight as illustrated inFIG. 2. Thus, depending on the diaphragm setting, an exposure time of,say, one-sixtieth sec. at the greatest stop 5,6," is automatically set.

In the further course of the winding motion of the winding and releaselever 12, the arm 15a of the drive pawl 15 disengages from the stop 18so that the pawl turns counterclockwise. The arm 15b thereby imparts aclockwise rotary motion motion to the actuating lever 8 which, takingthe braking weight 20 along and transfers the shutter blades 2 and 3into the open position. While the arm 15b of the drive pawl 15 slidesoff the actuating lever 8, the braking weight 20, driven by the kineticenergy imparted to it by the actuating lever during the opening motion,swings beyond the reversal point of the shutter blades 2 and 3 until thecam surface 20c of the weight strikes stop 23b of the catch lever 23 asshown in FIG. 2. Due to the increased tension given the spring 21 by theswinging motion of the braking weight 20, the weight is accelerated inthe opposite direction after striking the stop, causing the weight tostrike against the tab 8a of the actuating lever 8 and thereby causingit to return with the shutter blades 2 and 3 into the closed position.After removing the load from the winding and release lever 12, itreturns into the normal position shown in FIG. 1 under the influence ofspring 13, taking the scanning slide 34 along against the force of thespring 36.

When more favorable lighting conditions prevail, the meter pointer 32deflects more and positions itself, for example, 0pposite the stop valuel l as shown in FIG. 3. Assigned to this diaphragm opening, as with ,allthe diaphragm openings smaller than the greatest light stop, is theshortest exposure time of 1/125 sec. Upon depressing the winding andrelease lever 12, the following scanning slide 34 can therefore traversea longer path than is the case with the diaphragm value 5.6. As soon asthe diaphragm blades 25 and 26 enter the area of the exposure openingla, the following catch lever 23 contacts the stop 42, so that the stop23b is located in the path of cam surface 20e of braking weight 20provided for the shortest exposure time of, say, l/ l25 see. asillustrated in FIG. 3. The catch lever 23 stays in this positioncorresponding to that exposure time and the diaphragm blades 25 and 26are now moved, in the further course of the actuation of the winding andrelease lever 12, into the exposure opening 1a by the scanning slide 34due to the wider pointer deflection. With the scanning slide 34 meetingpointer 32, the blades 25 and 26 thereby leave uncovering an openingcorresponding to light stop value l l" as shown in FIG. 3. At the end ofthe winding motion, disengagement of the drive pawl 15 is accomplishedby the stationary stop 18, and the shutter opens in the manner describedbefore, whereby the cam surface 20e of the braking weight 20 runsagainst the stop 23b of the catch lever 23 without swinging beyond inthe reversal phase of the shutter blades 2 and 3 thereby immediatelyclosing the shutter according to the shortest exposure time.

If it is desired toset the light stop manually, for instance for thepurpose of taking flashbulb pictures, it is merely necessary to turn thesetter 46 clockwise and to make the desired light stop value of thescale 46a oppose the mark 47. This adjustment causes the exposure meterto be short circuited by switch 48 so that the meter pointer 32positions itself against the stop 30a of the exposure meter housing 30,it also moves clockwise, and its stop 300 takes the meter pointer 32along which, for example, is set so as to oppose value 1 l" of scale 44visible in viewfinder 43. The flag 50 follows the rotary motion of thestop 30a under the influence of the spring 51, assuming the positionshown in FIG. 4. Finally, the supporting edge 46b of the setter 46 runsagainst the pin 23e of the catch lever 23 and takes it into a positionin which the stop 23b is in the path of motion of cam surface 200 of thebraking weight 20 so that in the Manual" or flash range, and exposuretime of, for example, one-thirtieth see. is always provided.

It will be understood that the foregoing description with the details ofexemplary structure is not to be construed in any way to limit theinvention, but that modifications may be made thereto without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in following claims.

Iclaim:

l. A photographic camera comprising: a shutter blade system; a diaphragmhaving at least two pivoted blades; an exposure-time-regulating devicecooperating with said shutter blade system; an exposure meter built intosaid camera and a scanning device cooperating therewith forautomatically controlling both the light stop and exposure time factorsin an AUTO range and for manually presetting both of said factors inanother range; control part engaging one of said diaphragm blades andparticipating in the setting motions of the said diaphragm blades, saidcontrol part forming a part of said exposure-time-regulating device, thesetting of which part determines the duration of the exposure by saidshutter blade system and wherein said control part of saidexposure-timeregulating device is a pivotally mounted catch lever havingone end biased against the back portion of said one of said diaphragmblades, and wherein a braking weight is provided having a plurality ofradially stepped cam surfaces cooperating with said one end of saidcatch lever, said braking weight being engageable with said shutterblade system to participate in the opening motion thereof and mountedfor back-andforth movement to swing beyond the reversal phase of saidshutter blade system against the force of a return spring, said shutterblade system being movable back and forth.

2. The photographic camera of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm blades havean override extending beyond the opening of said camera; and whereinsaid one of said diaphragm blades, said catch lever and said brakingweight are configured so that differing exposure times are achievableonly in the area of said override, and wherein upon the entry of saiddiaphragm blades into the area of said opening of said camera theexposure time remains constant as the diaphragm opening narrowssteadily.

3. The photographic camera of claim 2 wherein said configuration of saidone diaphragm blade, said catch lever and said braking weight is suchthat the light stop and exposure time can be changed jointly so thatdiffering exposure values according to a predetermined program arethereby achievable.

4. The photographic camera of claim 1 wherein said catch lever supportedat said one end against said one of the diaphragm blades is a two-armedlever engageable by a setter; said setter being operable to set saidcamera to automatic or manual light stop setting and having a supportingedge which becomes efiective when set to said manual light stop setting,said edge being engageable with said catch lever for movement to aposition in which an exposure time is achieved suitable for picturestaken free hand or with flashbulbs.

5. The photographic camera of claim 4 wherein said setter serving to setsaid camera from one to the other working range is mounted on a housingof said exposure meter for corotation and wherein a switch is providedin the circuit of said exposure meter for short circuiting said meterduring the reversal from automatic to manual exposure setting. a

6. The photographic camera of claim 5 wherein said setter and saidhousing of said exposure meter are configured so that upon shortcircuiting; said corotating motion positions an exposure meter pointerwherein with the aid of said scanning device cooperating with saidpointer, the light stop value preset by means of said setter results.

7. The photographic camera of claim 6 wherein said housing of saidexposure meter has a stop located in the plane of motion of said pointeragainst which stop said pointer comes to rest after said meter is shortcircuited.

8. The photographic camera of claim 4 wherein an indicating scale isassociated with said exposure meter, said scale having harmonizing timeand light stop values; and wherein an indicating flag is provided forsaid scale disposed so that said flag makes said scale visible in theAUTO setting of said setter, said flag being operable by said setter formovement in front of said scale in the Manual" and flash working rangewherein only the light stop values which can be set in that range arevisible.

9. The photographic camera of claim 8 wherein a portion of said flagcovering said scale values has symbols of a flash and of time value ofthe exposure time becoming effective in the Manual and flash workingrange.

10. A photographic camera comprising: shutter blade means on saidcamera; diaphragm means on said camera having a plurality of pivotedblades; an exposure meter; scanning means engageable with said exposuremeter and said diaphragm means, said exposure meter and said scanningmeans automatically controlling both light stop and exposure timefactors in an "AUTO range and for manually presetting both of saidfactors in another range; and an exposure-time regulating device havinga pivotally mounted control lever engaging one of said diaphragm bladesand movable duringthe setting motion thereof; and a braking weight beingengageable with said shutter blade means and mounted to swing beyond thereversal phase of said shutter blade means and wherein said controllever is a pivotally mounted catch lever having one end biased againstthe back portion of said one of said diaphragm blades, and wherein saidbraking weight has a plurality of stepped cam surfaces cooperating withsaid one end of said catch lever, and wherein said braking weight isengageable with said shutter blade system in the opening motion thereofand is mounted for back-and-forth movement to swing beyond the reversalphase of said shutter blade system against the force of a return spring.

11. The photographic camera of claim 10 wherein said diaphragm bladeshave an override extending beyond the opening of said camera and whereinsaid lever supported at said one end against said one of the diaphragmblades is a twoarmed lever engageable by a setter; said setter beingoperable to set said camera to automatic or manual light stop settingand having a supporting edge, said edge being engageable with said catchlever when set to said manual light stop setting movement of said leverto a position in which an exposure time is achieved suitable forpictures taken free hand or with flashbulbs.

12. The photographic camera of claim 11 wherein said setter serving toset said camera from one to the other working range is mounted on saidexposure meter for corotation therewith; and wherein a switch operableby said setter is provided in the circuit of said exposure meter forshort circuiting said meter during the reversal of said setter fromautomatic to manual exposure setting.

13. The photographic camera of claim 12 wherein said exposure meter hasa stop located in the plane of motion of a pointer of said exposuremeter against which stop said pointer comes to rest after said meter isshort circuited by said switch.

14. The photographic camera of claim 13 wherein an indicating scale isprovided for said exposure meter, said scale having harmonizing time andlight stop values; and wherein an indicating flag is provided for saidscale disposed so that said flag makes said scale visible in the AUTOsetting of said setter, said flag being operable by said setter formovement in front of said scale in the Manual" and flash working rangewherein only the light stop values which can be set in that range arevisible.

15. A photographic camera including shutter means, a pair of rotatablymounted blades, exposure-time-regulating means cooperating with saidshutter means, said exposure-time-regu lating means having a manualrange for presetting both light stop and exposure time factors, anexposure meter built into said camera, scanning means cooperating withsaid exposure meter automatically controlling both the light stop andexposure time factors in an AUTO range, said time-regulating meanshaving a control lever engageable with one of said blades during thesetting movement of said blades, said scanning means acting directly onsaid control lever so that the position setting of said control leverdetermines the exposure time.

1. A photographic camera comprising: a shutter blade system; a diaphragmhaving at least two pivoted blades; an exposure-timeregulating devicecooperating with said shutter blade system; an exposure meter built intosaid camera and a scanning device cooperating therewith forautomatically controlling both the light stop and exposure time factorsin an ''''AUTO'''' range and for manually presetting both of saidfactors in another range; control part engaging one of said diaphragmblades and participating in the setting motions of the said diaphragmblades, said control part forming a part of said exposure-timeregulatingdevice, the setting of which part determines the duration of theexposure by said shutter blade system and wherein said control part ofsaid exposure-time-regulating device is a pivotally mounted catch leverhaving one end biased against the back portion of said one of saiddiaphragm blades, and wherein a braking weight is provided having aplurality of radially stepped cam surfaces cooperating with said one endof said catch lever, said braking weight being engageable with saidshutter blade system to participate in the opening motion thereof andmounted for back-and-forth movement to swing beyond the reversal phaseof said shutter blade system against the force of a return spring, saidshutter blade system being movable back and forth.
 2. The photographiccamera of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm blades have an overrideextending beyond the opening of said camera; and wherein said one ofsaid diaphragm blades, said catch lever and said braking weight areconfigured so that differing exposure times are achievable only in thearea of said override, and wherein upon the entry of said diaphragmblades into the area of said opening of said camera the exposure timeremains constant as the diaphragm opening narrows steadily.
 3. Thephotographic camera of claim 2 wherein said configuration of said onediaphragm blade, said catch lever and said braking weight is such thatthe light stop and exposure time can be changed jointly so thatdiffering exposure values according to a predetermined program arethereby achievable.
 4. The photographic camera of claim 1 wherein saidcatch lever supported at said one end against said one of the diaphragmblades is a two-armed lever engageable by a setter; said setter beingoperable to set said camera to automatic or manual light stop settingand having a supporting edge which becomes effective when set to saidmanual light stop setting, said edge being engageable with said catchlever for movement to a position in which an exposure time is achievedsuitable for pictures taken free hand or with flashbulbs.
 5. Thephotographic camera of claim 4 wherein said setter serving to set saidcamera from one to the other working range is mounted on a housing ofsaid exposure meter for corotation and wherein a switch is provided inthe circuit of said exposure meter for short circuiting said meterduring the reversal from automatic to manual exposure setting.
 6. Thephotographic camera of claim 5 wherein said setter and said housing ofsaid exposure meter are configured so that upon short circuiting; saidcorotating motion positions an exposure meter pointer wherein with theaid of said scanning device cooperating with said pointer, the lightstop value preset by means of said setter results.
 7. The photographiccamera of claim 6 wherein said housing of said exposure meter has a stoplocated in the plane of motion of said pointer against which stop saidpointer comes to rest after said meter is short circuited.
 8. Thephotographic camera of claim 4 wherein an indicating scale is associatedwith said exposure meter, said scale having harmonizing time and lightstop values; and wherein an indicating flag is provided for said scaledisposed so that said flag makes said scale visible in the ''''AUTO''''setting of said setter, said flag being operable by said setter formovement in front of said scale in the ''''Manual'''' and flash workingrange wherein only the light stop values which can be set in that rangeare visible.
 9. The photographic camera of claim 8 wherein a portion ofsaid flag covering said scale values has symbols of a flash and of timevalue of the exposure time becoming effective in the ''''Manual'''' andflash working range.
 10. A photographic camera comprising: shutter blademeans on said camera; diaphragm means on said camera having a pluralityof pivoted blades; an exposure meter; scanning means engageable withsaid exposure meter and said diaphragm means, said exposure meter andsaid scanning means automatically controlling both light stop andexposure time factors in an ''''AUTO'''' range and for manuallypresetting both of said factors in another range; and anexposure-time-regulating device having a pivotally mounted control leverengaging one of said diaphragm blades and movable during the settingmotion thereof; and a braking weight being engageable with said shutterblade means and mounted to swing beyond the reversal phase of saidshutter blade means and wherein said control lever is a pivotallymounted catch lever having one end biased against the back portion ofsaid one of said diaphragm blades, and wherein said braking weight has aplurality of stepped cam surfaces cooperating with said one end of saidcatch lever, and wherein said braking weight is engageable with saidshutter blade system in the opening motion thereof and is mounted forback-and-forth movement to swing beyond the reversal phaSe of saidshutter blade system against the force of a return spring.
 11. Thephotographic camera of claim 10 wherein said diaphragm blades have anoverride extending beyond the opening of said camera and wherein saidlever supported at said one end against said one of the diaphragm bladesis a two-armed lever engageable by a setter; said setter being operableto set said camera to automatic or manual light stop setting and havinga supporting edge, said edge being engageable with said catch lever whenset to said manual light stop setting movement of said lever to aposition in which an exposure time is achieved suitable for picturestaken free hand or with flashbulbs.
 12. The photographic camera of claim11 wherein said setter serving to set said camera from one to the otherworking range is mounted on said exposure meter for corotationtherewith; and wherein a switch operable by said setter is provided inthe circuit of said exposure meter for short circuiting said meterduring the reversal of said setter from automatic to manual exposuresetting.
 13. The photographic camera of claim 12 wherein said exposuremeter has a stop located in the plane of motion of a pointer of saidexposure meter against which stop said pointer comes to rest after saidmeter is short circuited by said switch.
 14. The photographic camera ofclaim 13 wherein an indicating scale is provided for said exposuremeter, said scale having harmonizing time and light stop values; andwherein an indicating flag is provided for said scale disposed so thatsaid flag makes said scale visible in the ''''AUTO'''' setting of saidsetter, said flag being operable by said setter for movement in front ofsaid scale in the ''''Manual'''' and flash working range wherein onlythe light stop values which can be set in that range are visible.
 15. Aphotographic camera including shutter means, a pair of rotatably mountedblades, exposure-time-regulating means cooperating with said shuttermeans, said exposure-time-regulating means having a manual range forpresetting both light stop and exposure time factors, an exposure meterbuilt into said camera, scanning means cooperating with said exposuremeter automatically controlling both the light stop and exposure timefactors in an ''''AUTO'''' range, said time-regulating means having acontrol lever engageable with one of said blades during the settingmovement of said blades, said scanning means acting directly on saidcontrol lever so that the position setting of said control leverdetermines the exposure time.